# Elizabeth Oropesa

Elizabeth Oropesa (born July 17, 1954), also known as La Oropesa, or "Boots" to friends is a Filipina actress. She was a Grand Slam Best Actress winner for Bulaklak Ng Maynila (1999). She was crowned as Miss Luzon of the Miss Republic of the Philippines (RP) 1972. She was one of the Miss White Castle models in the mid-70s. One of her notable roles is Sandra Salgado, the evil stepmother and the main villain in hit soap opera Esperanza. Aside from showbiz assignments and commitments, Oropesa is currently working as a healer.

## Career

In 1974, a young Elizabeth Oropesa was introduced in Celso Ad Castillo's Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa (1974) lending support to former Miss Universe Gloria Diaz, who was then being launched to stardom. She portrayed the role of Saling, the barrio lass who is madly in love with Simon (Vic Vargas) and loathes the presence of Isabel (Gloria Diaz) on the barrio-island. She and Gloria Diaz made a big splash by introducing the "wet look" in Philippine cinema.
Oropesa was launched to stardom in Mister Mo, Lover Boy Ko (1975), produced by Jesse Ejercito and directed by Ishmael Bernal. She won the FAMAS Best Actress award for Lumapit, Lumayo ang Umaga (1975), also directed by Bernal. Again, Bernal directed Oropesa in Nunal sa Tubig (1976), considered one of the best films of the '70s. Oropesa is one of director Ishmael Bernal's favorite actresses to work with.
Other notable movies she made are Alupihan Dagat (1975) and Aguila (1980) with Fernando Poe Jr.; Si Rafael at Raquel (1976) and Hide and Seek sa Manila, Makati (1977) with Christopher de Leon; Mother and Daughter (1975) with Paraluman and Vic Vargas; Katawang Lupa (1975) with Eddie Gutierrez; Uhaw Na Dagat (1981) with Gloria Diaz and Isabel Rivas; Iking Boxer (1975) with Chiquito; Nueva Vizcaya (1974) with Vic Vargas; Si Malakas, si Maganda at si Mahinhin (1981) with Alma Moreno and Dindo Fernando; and Palabra de Honor (1983) with Eddie Garcia.
She received Best Supporting Actress trophies for Milagros (1997) and Sa Pusod ng Dagat (1998), both directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, and a Best Actress grand slam, five best actress trophies for Bulaklak Ng Maynila (1999), directed by Joel Lamangan.
She did Mister Mo, Lover Ko (1999) a comedy film again directed by Joel Lamangan, starring Glydel Mercado, Eddie Gutierrez, Gary Estrada and Danny Ramos. In 2003, she made the movie Homecoming, an entry in the Metro Manila Film Festival, directed by Gil Portes, with Alessandra de Rossi, playing a mother and daughter caught in a heart-wrenching homecoming. She played the mother of Jennica Garcia and stepmother of Jolina Magdangal in Adik Sa'Yo (2009) with Marvin Agustin, Dennis Trillo and Joey Marquez, directed by Joel Lamangan. She starred in a digital film Ded Na si Lolo (international title: Grandpa Is Dead, 2009), about a family staying together and getting stronger amid personal differences and hardships, starring Roderick Paulate, Gina Alajar and Manilyn Reynes. Oropesa made a comeback as a grandmother in the TV drama, Angelito: Batang Ama which aired on ABS-CBN. In 2004, Elizabeth played a villain named Belinda Manalo in Te Amo, Maging Sino Ka Man, the character was bitter and hot-headed. In 2017, she played a role in Impostora in which the character plays is calm and supportive of the main protagonist. In 2018, she was tapped to play the funny arrogant and brainless mother of Amber. Named Violet "Violy" Bolocboc, she is one of the anti-heroines of Pamilya Roces. She and her daughter scheme to become rich, but overall they are anti-heroes.
She has appeared in more than 150 films and television shows since 1973.

## Political involvement

In 1986, Oropesa campaigned for the reelection of president Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 snap election.
In 1987, Oropesa was charged with rebellion by the Northern Police District for her participation in the January 27 takeover of the GMA Network television station.

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Category | Award | Title | Result |
| 1976 | Best Actress | FAMAS Award | Lumapit, Lumayo ang Umaga (1975) | Won |
| 1979 | Best Actress | Gawad Urian Award | Isang Gabi sa Iyo... Isang Gabi sa Akin (1978) | Nominated |
| 1981 | Best Actress | FAMAS Award | Si Malakas, si Maganda at si Mahinhin (1980) | Nominated |
| 1996 | Best Supporting Actress | Gawad Urian Award | Ipaglaban Mo: The Movie (1996) | Nominated |
| 1998 | Best Supporting Actress | FAMAS Award | Milagros (1997) | Nominated |
| 1998 | Best Supporting Actress | Gawad Urian Award | Milagros (1997) | Won |
| 1999 | Best Actress | FAMAS Award | Sa Pusod ng Dagat (1998) | Nominated |
| 1999 | Best Actress | Gawad Urian Award | Sa Pusod ng Dagat (1998) | Nominated |
| 1999 | Best Actress | Metro Manila Film Festival | Bulaklak ng Maynila (1999) | Won |
| 2000 | Best Supporting Actress | Gawad Urian Award | Burlesk King (1999) | Nominated |
| 2000 | Best Performance by Male or Female in Leading or Supporting Role | YCC Award | Bulaklak ng Maynila (1999) | Nominated |
| 2000 | Actress of the Year | Star Award | Bulaklak ng Maynila (1999) | Won |
| 2000 | Best Actress | Gawad Urian Award | Bulaklak ng Maynila (1999) | Won |
| 2000 | Best Actress | FAP Award | Bulaklak ng Maynila (1999) | Won |
| 2000 | Best Actress | FAMAS Award | Bulaklak ng Maynila (1999) | Won |
| 2001 | Best Performance by Male or Female in Leading or Supporting Role | YCC Award | Senswal: Bakit Masarap ang Bawal (2000) | Nominated |
| 2003 | Best Supporting Actress | Gawad Urian Award | Laman (2002) | Won |
| 2004 | Best Performance by Male or Female in Leading or Supporting Role | YCC Award | Homecoming (2003) | Nominated |
| 2004 | Best Actress | Gawad Urian Award | Homecoming (2003) | Nominated |
| 2010 | Best Supporting Actress | Gawad PASADO Award | Grandpa Is Dead (2009) | Nominated |
| 2010 | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role | Golden Screen Award | Grandpa Is Dead (2009) | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Cinemalaya 2016 | I America (2016) | Won |

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Note(s) |
| 1974 | Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa | | |
| 1976 | Nunal sa Tubig | Maria | |
| 1979 | Vontes V | | |
| 1979 | Bulaklak ng Maynila | | |
| 1980 | Aguila | Lilian T. Garrido | |
| 1994 | Secret Love | Sonia | |
| 1994 | The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II: May the Lord Be with Us! | Estrellita Vizconde | |
| 1995 | Campus Girls | Becky | |
| 1995 | Victim No. 1: Delia Maga (Jesus, Pray For Us!) – A Massacre in Singapore | Flor Contemplacion | |
| 1997 | Milagros | Miding | |
| 1997 | The Sarah Balabagan Story | Sarah's mother | |
| 1998 | Sa Pusod ng Dagat | Rosa | |
| 1998 | Sinaktan Mo ang Puso Ko | | |
| 1999 | Burlesk King | Betty | |
| 1999 | Mister Mo, Lover Ko | Melody | |
| 1999 | Oo Na, Mahal Na Kung Mahal | Mely | |
| 2000 | Tabi Tabi Po | | |
| 2003 | Lastikman | Mrs. Orozco | |
| 2003 | A.B. Normal College: Todo Na 'Yan! Kulang Pa 'Yun! | Miguel's mother | |
| 2003 | Ang Huling Birhen sa Lupa | | |
| 2003 | Homecoming | | |
| 2004 | Lastikman: Unang Banat | Susan | |
| 2005 | Baryoke | | |
| 2005 | Shake, Rattle and Roll 2k5 | Sael's wife | "Lihim ng San Joaquin" segment |
| 2006 | Apoy sa Dibdib ng Samar | Aling Mercedes | |
| 2007 | Roxxxanne | | |
| 2009 | Grandpa Is Dead | Dolores | |
| 2014 | Maratabat: Pride and Honor | Bai Esperanza | |
| 2014 | Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2 | Veron | |
| 2015 | Felix Manalo | Cianang | |
| 2017 | Moonlight Over Baler | Fidela | |
| 2021 | Huwag Kang Lalabas | Fides | "Kumbento" segment |
| 2022 | Maid in Malacañang | Lucy | |
| 2023 | Martyr or Murderer | Lucy | |
| 2023 | Sa Kamay ng Diyos | | |
| 2024 | Pula | Aling Rosa | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 1996–1997 | Familia Zaragoza | Dra. Bienvenida Perea-Fuentabella | ABS-CBN |
| 1997–1999 | Esperanza | Sandra Bermudez-Salgado | ABS-CBN |
| 2000–2001 | Kiss Muna | Amparo aka Ampy | GMA Network |
| 2001–2003 | Sana ay Ikaw na Nga | Doña Victoria Altamonte | GMA Network |
| 2004 | Te Amo, Maging Sino Ka Man | Belinda Manalo | GMA Network |
| 2006–2007 | Mars Ravelo's Captain Barbel | Madame Aurora Salvacion / Lady Amorseko | GMA Network |
| 2007 | Margarita | Jessica Beltran | ABS-CBN |
| 2009 | Adik Sa 'Yo | Madame Stella Maglipot | GMA Network |
| 2010–2011 | Beauty Queen | Amparo Matias-San Miguel | GMA Network |
| 2011–2012 | Angelito: Batang Ama | Amparo "Pinang" Santos | ABS-CBN |
| 2012 | Angelito: Ang Bagong Yugto | Amparo "Pinang" Santos | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Obsession | Regina Mendoza | TV5 |
| 2015 | Flordeliza | Lorena Sanchez-Perez | ABS-CBN |
| 2017–2018 | Impostora | Magdalena "Denang" Del Prado | GMA Network |
| 2018 | Contessa | Rowena | GMA Network |
| 2018 | Pamilya Roces | Violeta "Violet/Violy" Bolocboc | GMA Network |
| 2019–2020 | The Gift | Charito "Char" Apostol | GMA Network |
| 2020 | Ang Daigdig Ko'y Ikaw | Mayor Etta Almazan | Net 25 |
| 2021 | Ikaw Ay Akin | Adelina Miranda | Net 25 |
| 2021–2022 | Agimat ng Agila | Berta Lagman | GMA Network |
| 2024 | Asawa ng Asawa Ko | Usa | GMA Network |